Summary Background : Anecdotal evidence suggests that Christmas often leads to positive energy balance and a deterioration in nutritional status but there have been few studies. Methods : Twenty‐six adults completed anthropometric, blood pressure and total blood cholesterol measurements before and after the Christmas holiday. Results : An increase in mean weight occurred (0.93 kg) despite five subjects being ill. Diastolic blood pressure increased most (8%) with six subjects being classified as mildly hypertensive after Christmas, but only two before. This might be explained by alcohol intake and/or changes in insulin secretion/resistance. Conclusion : Changes consequent upon Christmas and their correction deserve further attention.
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Reid et al. (1999) studied this question.
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